From going unsold at the IPL auction to becoming Punjab Kings’ designated finisher, he has seen heartbreak and redemption, and come out on the other side with renewed belief

Ashish Pant10-Oct-2025The night of June 3 still haunts Shashank Singh. Punjab Kings had done most things right in IPL 2025. They topped the group stages, qualified for their first IPL final in 11 years, and looked set for a maiden title. But they fell short in the final.Shashank was a central figure in the team’s run to the final. He was their fifth-highest run-getter, with 350 runs in 17 innings and a strike rate of 153.50. More importantly, he was their designated finisher.When he came in to bat in the final, PBKS were four down, with the required rate close to 12 an over. Quickly running out of partners, Shashank got a few boundaries away, and while he finished unbeaten on 61 off 30, it wasn’t enough. PBKS lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six runs.”It still hurts,” Shashank says. “Sometimes, when I recall what could have happened… it is very easy to say that I have moved on. But these things take time.Related

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• Shashank Singh: 'I'll tell you we are at the top of the world on June 3'

• IPL 2025 showed the might of the uncapped Indian batter

“You say things [like] the sun will rise tomorrow, there will be another day. These things are nice to say and hear. It is very important to move on in cricket, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. The next ten to 14 days were very tough for me.”Every ball. I remember every ball even now. Where could I have been better? Should I have attacked Krunal Pandya? Should I have gone after Romario Shepherd a little early? Should we have done better [in] the field? What could I have done differently? I have moved on, obviously, and there are lots of things to look forward to. But yeah, sometimes it still hurts.”Since the start of IPL 2024, only Prabhsimran Singh has more runs than Shashank’s 704 in 28 innings for PBKS. Shashank averages nearly 47 across these two seasons, while striking at 158.91. While things are on the up now, it was very different three years ago, when he was left devastated after going unsold at the auction for the 2023 IPL. Having been on the IPL circuit since 2017 with Delhi Daredevils (2017), Rajasthan Royals (2019-21) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022) and still only having played ten games, Shashank, 31 at the time, was left contemplating his future.Shashank was the top scorer for PBKS in the 2025 final, but his unbeaten 61 couldn’t stave off defeat while the rest of the batting collapsed around him•Getty ImagesHis PBKS signing for the 2024 season was mired in confusion after a mix-up during the auction where for a while it seemed that Punjab Kings wanted to rescind their winning bid for him. It led to plenty of trolling on social media for months. But now, with the worst behind him, Shashank firmly believes it was all for the best.”Whatever I am today is because of that IPL auction where I did not get picked on December 23, 2022. I am what I am today because of that date,” Shashank says. “If someone tells me that I am gradually improving, it is because of that year – it keeps me in check. I get reminded about it sometimes, once a year, sometimes once a month, but I do get reminded of it. And then suddenly I start getting scared. And then you realise, no one is bigger than the sport and can never be. So I start again. It was an eye-opener for me. Whenever I slack [off] or get laid back, I immediately snap out of it, recalling that time.”If that wouldn’t have happened, I probably wouldn’t have loved this sport as much, nor would I have been working so hard. Till two years back, I used to say that cricket is a part of your life, not your life. But I’ve realised lately that cricket is my life. I don’t know what I will do without this sport. If someone asks me my plans after five-six years, I get scared because this sport has become my life.”Over the last few years he has transformed himself from a middle-order batter to a death-overs specialist. It didn’t come naturally, but he took the plunge to give himself a chance to stand out from the competition. He first explored the finisher’s role at the DY Patil tournament in February 2023 in Mumbai and realised he had the “calmness and maturity” required to play in the position. For the rest of the year he practised batting with the tail and worked on his power-hitting. It gave him a fresh lease of life when he was picked up by PBKS.In this year’s IPL, no batter had more runs than Shashank’s 242 in the last five overs of an innings. Across the last two IPL seasons, only Tristan Stubbs (360) has more runs in the death overs than Shashank’s 318 at a strike rate of 213.42.”Surya [Suryakumar Yadav] once told me that the player who bats at No. 6 and 7 gets judged the most,” Shashank says. “There are more times that you will fail, because the level of risk you take is the highest.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”See, I want to be a superstar for my team. That role of a hero, I want to be that. And I feel that the best time to become a hero is by batting at No. 5 and 6. I enjoy taking responsibility, I like it when the odds are against me. When the team needs 12 runs off two balls, I want to be the batter to hit the two sixes.”Sometimes I feel I would have got more visibility if I had batted up the order. I have batted there all my life, I have scored runs also. But I feel I am the best as a finisher and that’s why the team has selected me in that position.”Shashank is also a handy medium-pacer, and while he hasn’t bowled much in the IPL, he has picked up 37 wickets in List A cricket and 20 in T20s. In the 2023-24 domestic season, he became the first Indian to make over 150 runs and pick up five wickets in the same List A match, against Manipur.Earlier this year he won the BCCI’s Lala Amarnath award for the best allrounder in domestic limited-overs competitions for the 2023-24 season.Despite all that and his decently consistent run with the bat, Shashank hasn’t received an India, or even an India A, call-up yet. “I won’t say that I don’t feel bad [at not getting a national call-up],” he says. “There is disappointment. But again, can I do anything about that? Yes, keep on performing and keep on asking what else I can do better.”I don’t want to just play for India; I want to win matches for the country. I visualise and think the same way. Even today, when I’m training, power-hitting, I think about what I need to do to win matches. If I’m playing in Australia, I’ll be facing conditions where there is extra bounce, so I need to improve my pulls and cuts. If I’m playing in India, I’ll need power-hitting so that I can clear the ropes easily.”See, my job is to tick the boxes, to work hard. I can only control the things which are in my hand. That national call, that India A call-up, how that will happen, when it will happen, I don’t know. But one thing is that I still have a dream. That dream of winning matches for India. It will happen. The belief is still there.”Some might think that at 34 Shashank is past his prime, but he feels his best years are ahead of him. He draws inspiration from an illustrious former Mumbai team-mate who made his T20I debut at 30. “Surya hit Jofra [Archer] for six in his first match [innings] and now he’s the captain of the Indian team,” he says.”Then there’s Pravin Tambe. He didn’t play for India, but at the age of 41, he debuted in IPL. Can you imagine that!ESPNcricinfo Ltd”Sometimes, when you are disappointed about not seeing your name [among those picked], then these examples come to mind. These players had that belief and that’s why they are there.”In our sport, there is no criteria for age. It all depends on the performance of an individual and the team’s needs. I think age is unnecessarily categorised as an important thing. I just feel it is an excuse. If I am a liability for the team, if I can’t run quickly between the wickets, if I can’t field in the outfield, then yes, surely the age factor comes into play. But when you are proactive, you are an asset to the team. Then age is just another number.”IPL 2025 was the first time PBKS made it to the final since 2014, and Shashank attributes the team’s success to the captain and coach, Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting.”Shreyas is at a different level altogether,” Shashank says. “He has his own aura, a different mindset altogether. Won’t talk rubbish, won’t tolerate rubbish. When he bats in the nets, he knows what he is doing. If someone asks me: who is the best captain you have played under? Hands down, Shreyas Iyer.”And then Ricky sir, he has made the game very simple. Cricket can be a complicated sport at times. If you ask a batsman, the leg shouldn’t go across, the head shouldn’t fall, but Ricky sir has simplified the game brilliantly.”You know why he is a great coach? It’s because he knows what a player wants. I’ll give you an example. I did not bat in the nets a single day throughout the IPL. Once the matches began, for two-and-a-half months, from the first match against Gujarat Titans till the final, I did not bat in the nets even once. Even Shreyas sometimes used to say, ‘Bro, what are you doing?'”Everyone has their own rhythm. After so many years, I now know my game. IPL is a high-pressure tournament. Even on non-match days there is a little pressure on everyone involved. Sometimes when batting in the nets, if you miss a few balls, if you mistime a few shots, there is added pressure on yourself. If I play a bad shot in the nets, I start thinking about that one shot rather than the other good shots I played. And I don’t know how but Ricky sir understood this.”Ahead of the last IPL season, Shashank had just one goal in mind: to not be a one-season wonder. Having ticked that box, he now wishes to manifest two things in the next year.”If you ask me about the team, then Punjab is lifting next year’s IPL for sure,” he says “And one more prediction I have, and that is in the upcoming [T20] World Cup in India, I’ll be playing, and I’ll be winning games for the team. I don’t know how that will happen, but I surely believe that it will happen.”

10 overs Melbourne Stars suffered a costly WBBL loss just before finals as Sydney Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield dominated a rain-affected encounter. Unable to reach the finals, Thunder destroyed the title-contending Stars by nine wickets in their last game of the tournament at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.Due to persistent rain, the match was shortened to ten overs a side as the Stars managed just 66 for 6 after being sent in to bat. Litchfield and fellow Australia young gun Georgia Voll made light work of the DLS-revised target of 76, securing the winning runs with 17 balls to spare.With just 11 runs needed and rain starting to fall again, Litchfield attempted one big shot too many and was out to Annabel Sutherland for a destructive 37 from 23 balls. Voll was untroubled by losing her opening partner, making an unbeaten 33 from 18 balls.Fellow big-hitter Laura Harris smashed the winning runs with a reverse ramp for four. Voll also chimed in with 2 for 13 to be named player of the match.The defeat is bound to have serious ramifications for the Stars, who entered the match placed second on the ladder. Hobart Hurricanes are locked in to host the final on December 13 as minor premiers, but the other three spots in the four remain up for grabs.Stars will wait nervously on other results, with Perth Scorchers hosting the winless Brisbane Heat on Saturday night. If the Scorchers, as expected, win, they will jump ahead of Stars into second.In the last game before finals, Sydney Sixers can also overtake Stars if they beat Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.Thunder will finish the tournament in seventh, winning four of their 10 games.

Real Madrid were humbled by bottom-of-the-table Celta Vigo, finished the match with nine men and failed to close the four point gap on league leaders Barcelona following a shock 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu. Xabi Alonso’s side went behind midway through the second half courtesy of a stunning finish from Williot Swedberg, Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were both shown red cards before Swedberg scored another in time added on to a chorus of boos as the match ended in chaotic scenes.

Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior all delivered diabolical performances on a night when they were needed at their best in a defeat which could have huge ramifications in the title race. The Bernabeu was stunned into silence after Real went behind to a stunning finish from 21-year-old Sweden international Swedberg. Real’s defence was caught napping as Swedberg dropped off inside the box and found a yard of space to fire home with an audacious flick of his right boot which found the bottom corner of the net. 

And there was worse to come for Los Blancos as Fran Garcia was sent off following two yellow cards in the space of a couple of second-half minutes for two impetuous fouls. Real were rocked and the crowd responded, reminding their players what was at stake and the need for three points to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona. 

But the embarrassment was completed in the closing stages when Alvaro Carreras was handed his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards and in a final act, Swedberg walked the ball around the shocked Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to seal the victory and end an awful night for Alonso's side. 

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Bernabeu…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

Started off as a relatively quiet evening for him, and could do nothing about the two goals. Will be sorely disappointed about his defence. 

Raul Asencio (4/10):

Was left red-faced after a slip early in the first-half opened the door for Celta to attack, would have been relieved the visitors failed to capitalise. 

Eder Militao (6/10):

Lasted just 20 minutes after pulling up with what looked like a nasty hamstring injury, replaced by Rudiger. Really bad news for Alonso as Militao has been in excellent form for Los Blancos. 

Alvaro Carreras (2/10):

Shambles of an evening. Two quick-fire yellow cards for playground-level incidents and was shown a straight red card. 

Fran Garcia (3/10):

Ridiculous behaviour in two mad minutes in the second-half, picking up two yellow cards for wholly unnecessary challenges to leave his team down to ten men. Referee had no option on either and was right to show the red card. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (4/10):

Endured a poor evening, which was summed up by his effort from 20 yards out which sailed miles over the bar to a chorus of boos from the home crowd. 

Arda Guler (5/10):

Squandered a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring in the 40th minute, but fired wide from just a few yards out.

Federico Valverde (5/10):

Was a busy running all evening, but like his team-mates, failed to create a moment of quality worth mentioning. 

Getty Images SportAttack

Jude Bellingham (3/10):

Took a hefty whack to his right eye in the second-half, which left blood pouring from a small cut. In truth it was a terrible night for Bellingham who failed to create anything in front of goal after an early headed chance was saved. 

Kylian Mbappe (3/10):

Thought his moment had come in the 74th minute but his delightful control and chip over the on-rushing goalkeeper landed just over the cross bar on the roof of the net. Below par in every department on a woeful night for the France superstar. 

Vinicius Junior (3/10):

Made all the recent talk of big money moves seem a little premature after putting in a performance that was high in effort, but low in quality. Now hasn't scored in 11 games for Real. 

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Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

Brought on in the 24th minute, replacing the injured Militao. Had plenty of covering to do as Real Madrid pushed up searching for an equaliser and did well to out-muscle Swedberg in the final moments. 

Gonzalo Garcia (4/10):

Replaced Guler in the 75th minute, plenty of running but not enough time on the pitch to influence the match

Xabi Alonso (3/10):

Thoroughly frustrating evening for the boss who deployed his star players and watched them all flop against the league's bottom side. His evening summed up by being shown a yellow card after complaining too vociferously to the referee. Has plenty to ponder after a terrible night for his team's title hopes. 

Tottenham have been given some encouragement over the prospect of signing a Brazil international as his agents work to find him a new club.

Tottenham targeting new attacker in January amid creativity issue

Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure at Tottenham just six months into his tenure, with serious questions surrounding the Dane’s future.

Spurs sit 11th in the table with just 19 points from 13 games, and their home record tells a catastrophic story.

With only one Premier League win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season, not to mention 10 home defeats this calendar year, they currently boast the joint-worst record in that regard in the club’s history.

Winless in five matches across all competitions, including losses to Arsenal, PSG and Fulham, their controversial 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Monday evening prevented a fourth straight defeat.

16. Burnley

2

1

4

7

-2

17. Nottingham Forest

2

1

4

7

-5

18. West Ham

2

0

5

6

-9

19. Tottenham

1

2

4

5

-1

20. Wolves

0

1

6

1

-11

Cristian Romero rescued Frank with a dramatic stoppage-time overhead kick. The Argentine scored twice at St James’ Park, his header and acrobatic finish earning a vital point, and his heroics seriously spared Frank’s blushes.

Dressing room unrest is reportedly growing, with reports suggesting players are confused by Frank’s constant tactical tinkering.

Fabrizio Romano shares Thomas Frank update amid mounting Tottenham pressure

The reliable journalist has some information.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 4, 2025

Summer signing Xavi Simons symbolises Frank’s struggles. The £55 million playmaker has started just six league games, relegated to the bench for crucial fixtures despite Spurs’ creative drought, and former defender Ramon Vega has accused Frank of “changing his mind every two seconds.”

Frank apparently retains board backing until at least new year, but improvement must arrive quickly.

January reinforcements remain crucial, with FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa heavily linked alongside Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who has a tantalising £65 million release clause in his contract which will be active next month.

If Spurs cannot win the race for Semenyo amid interest from Man City, then RB Leizpig’s Yan Diomande is believed to be an alternative, with Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri reporting they’ve already held advanced discussions on the player’s side.

Tottenham given Rodrygo boost as agents work on Real Madrid exit

Now, according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, the north Londoners have been given a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

It is believed that Tottenham have emerged among the Premier League clubs that Rodrygo would consider joining, with his representatives actively working to secure a January departure from the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian has seen his situation deteriorate dramatically since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti over the summer, becoming the most high-profile casualty.

Only four of his 15 appearances this season have exceeded 45 minutes, with Rodrygo regularly deployed as an impact substitute and falling behind Arda Güler in the pecking order.

Intermediaries representing the 24-year-old are working diligently to identify potential destinations, with Arsenal and Liverpool already engaged in discussions.

Rodrygo himself has made clear he would welcome moves to Man City, Man United, Chelsea or Tottenham too, though currently only Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Spurs are actively monitoring his availability.

Real value him between £70-79 million, and the Spanish giants ideally want to retain Rodrygo until the summer, when Nico Paz’s expected return will likely accelerate his departure.

It isn’t an easy deal to do by any means, with Spurs potentially needing to break their transfer record whilst fending off elite competition from their rivals.

However, there is little doubt this would be a statement move by the Lewis family as they look to usher in a new era post-Daniel Levy.

Newcastle United have not been at the races this season. Wheeling off quickly at times – mostly at St. James’ Park – but suffering from dismal away form that is pulling Eddie Howe’s squad away from their potential.

We all know this, and Howe most of all. However, identifying solutions and then finding the right answers can be two wholly different things in football.

Newcastle’s Form in 2025/26 (all comps)

Home

Stat

Away

11

Games

8

8

Wins

1

0

Draws

3

3

Losses

4

16

Goals scored

8

8

Goals conceded

10

2.18

PPG

0.75

But the English tactician has done so countless times across his four years on Tyneside, adapting and overcoming obstacles that fall into his path.

Take, for example, the fumbled signing of Chris Wood from Burnley in 2022. One of the first to establish this new PIF era, the Kiwi striker flattered to deceive.

Remembering Chris Wood's time at Newcastle

Wood is one of the most consistent Premier League strikers of his time. Something of a journeyman, he has nonetheless enjoyed success throughout his career, truly coming into his own over the past several years with Nottingham Forest.

However, a brief stint at Newcastle stands as a blot on the copybook. Howe purchased the New Zealand star from Burnley for £25m in January 2022, right at the start of this new era.

Sometimes, it’s just not your day. And Wood simply didn’t click in black and white. The veteran goalscorer only scored five times across 39 appearances before leaving for Forest on loan and then making the move permanent.

Pundit Tam McManus said that he looked “a bit lost” at St. James’ Park, and the one bit of solace from the misfire of a signing was that Newcastle were otherwise going from strength to strength, and they signed Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad after realising Wood wasn’t going to make the grade.

Of course, no one would deny that Wood is a top-class Premier League striker. He was one of the most prolific in the division last season, after all.

Premier League 24/25 – Top Scorers

Player

Apps

Goals

Mohamed Salah

38

29

Alexander Isak

34

23

Erling Haaland

31

22

Bryan Mbeumo

38

20

Chris Wood

36

20

Stats via BBC Sport

But this only emphasises the blunder on Newcastle’s part, one they would not wish to repeat.

For the most part, they haven’t. Newcastle’s success under Howe’s wing has been a product of care and accuracy in the market. But they don’t always get it right, having signed the new Wood this summer.

Newcastle's biggest disaster since Chris Wood

Maybe there’s just something that isn’t working for ex-Forest stars moving to Newcastle.

Anthony Elanga has not been a success since joining the club from the City Ground for £55m this summer, yet to score or assist across 16 appearances.

Renowned for his “special ability” on the ball, as said by Nuno Espirito Santo, the Swedish winger simply hasn’t succeeded in translating his physical strengths over to St. James’ Park.

It’s not just his output causing concern. As per Sofascore, Elanga has succeeded with only 17% of his attempted dribbles in the Premier League this season. For a player whose standout skill is his fleet-footedness on the ball, this isn’t good enough.

Elanga, 23, must be afforded more time, but given the desperate need for an efficient right winger in recent years at the club, his woes have been a concern, salvaged only by the ever-industrious Jacob Murphy’s consistency.

He’s still relatively young, and he has proven himself capable in the Premier League across the past two terms with the Tricky Trees.

But the early readings are not all that promising, with analyst Raj Chohan picking up on the winger’s poor form and claiming that the deal was a “massive overpay” on PIF’s part.

While he is young and with much potential still untapped – unlike Wood – Newcastle expected bang for their buck when filling a hole on the right wing.

If Elanga doesn’t improve quickly, the Toon are going to need to dig back into their pockets.

Related Bigger liability than Pope: Howe must finally bin Newcastle "legend"

Newcastle need to make some changes going forward.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 28, 2025

Cricket Australia said he is due to resume bowling next week but it will impact his timeline for a Test return

Alex Malcolm05-Dec-2025Josh Hazlewood’s hopes of playing a part in the Ashes series have suffered another setback after he reported Achilles soreness during the early stages of his return from a hamstring injury.Hazlewood had been due to join the Test squad in Brisbane to continue his recovery but that trip has been shelved. He had returned to bowling off a few paces in Sydney last week having been ruled out of the start of the series after picking up the hamstring injury against Victoria last month.”Josh Hazlewood reported achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury,” a Cricket Australia statement said. “It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”Related

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Hazlewood was never a realistic prospect of featuring in Adelaide but now could face a race to feature in Melbourne or Sydney.It continues a running theme with Hazlewood in recent years of other injuries flaring in the immediate aftermath of a significant injury, and a continuation of calf and Achilles issues.In 2022-23 he suffered a side strain in the first home Test of the summer and missed three Tests before returning. He then suffered ongoing Achilles soreness after his first Test back in early January and missed the entire tour of India in early 2023 and was not selected in the World Test Championship final in June as he was slightly underdone in his recovery.Last summer, Hazlewood suffered a side strain in the opening Test against India and missed the second Test in Adelaide. But after rushing back for the third Test in Brisbane he strained a calf and missed the final two matches of the summer, the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy before finally returning midway through the IPL.He had an uninterrupted run from there playing in the IPL, the WTC final, three Tests in the Caribbean and the five white-ball series, including different formats, against South Africa, New Zealand and India, until his only Sheffield Shield game of the summer in the lead-in to the Ashes.He strained his hamstring playing for New South Wales against Victoria, which a scan did not initially detect, and there were concerns about a tendon issue. However, Australia coach Andrew McDonald was confident he could still play a part later in the series. But a delay in his running and bowling loads due to Achilles soreness will narrow his chances to appear in either of those Tests.Australia’s pace-bowling depth has been tested in the early stages of the Ashes with Sean Abbott also sidelined by a hamstring injury. Pat Cummins was close to a return at the Gabba but has been held back until Adelaide.

The Victoria offspinner has returned to India with Australia A and is locked in a battle with Kuhnemann and Rocchiccioli to be Australia’s definitive No. 2 Test spin option behind Lyon

Daya Sagar24-Sep-2025Australia offspinner Todd Murphy is not someone who suffers from delusions of grandeur.The 24-year-old Victorian made a brilliant start to his international career when he took seven wickets on Test debut against India in Nagpur in 2023. Across four matches in his debut series, he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 25.21, and after R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Nathan Lyon, he was the fourth-most-successful bowler of the series. However, in the following two years, Murphy has played only three more Test matches and has lost his Cricket Australia contract.Murphy, who is currently on tour with Australia A in India, understands that as long as Lyon is around, he will get very few opportunities with the national side.Related

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“I think I’m under no illusions of that,” Murphy told ESPNcricinfo prior to the second four-day match in Lucknow. “When you get a guy like Nathan Lyon, who is number one there, then you know that your opportunities are going to be few and far between. So, I think sort of over the last couple of years, it’s just finding enjoyment out of training and trying to get better personally. So, if I do get an opportunity, then hopefully I’m well equipped to take it.”Following his debut series in India, Murphy was taken on the 2023 Ashes tour as Australia’s No. 2 spinner and got the opportunity to play two Tests in Lyon’s absence. He took seven wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the second innings of The Oval Test. But, after that, he had to wait almost one-and-a-half years for the next chance.At the beginning of this year, when Australia toured Sri Lanka, Murphy was once again picked as part of a three-man spin attack with Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann, just as he was in three of the four Tests in India in 2023. But, on a spin-friendly Galle pitch, he managed to take only one wicket across both innings and lost his place for the second Test as Australia experimented with playing spin-bowling allrounder Cooper Connolly to lengthen the batting.

“So it was another challenge to try and adapt to a flatter wicket, find ways to put the batters under pressure and that’s just bouncing in an out of different plans and working with the captain. Sometimes the best way to do that is just shut the scoreboard down and get a different shot out of the batter”Todd Murphy on his return to India with Australia A

Kuhnemann, who had also debuted in India in 2023, took 16 wickets against Sri Lanka with Australia’s selectors preferring to pair the left-arm orthodox with Lyon rather than picking two offspinners in the same XI. Kuhnemann was also given a CA contract and selected in the Australia squad alongside Lyon for this year’s West Indies tour.Murphy knows that even when the 37-year-old Lyon retires, it will not be easy for him to secure a permanent spot in the XI because Australia’s spin depth is as strong as it’s been for some time. Western Australia offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli is partnering Murphy on the current Australia A tour and has outperformed Murphy and Kuhnemann in Sheffield Shield cricket over the past two years. However, Murphy considers it healthy competition.”There are some really good guys underneath Gaz [Lyon],” Murphy said. “Kuhney [Kuhnemann] did super well in Sri Lanka. Rocks [Rocchiccioli] is bowling outstandingly well in Shield cricket. So, there is a good crew of us coming through now. We all are just trying to continually get better underneath Gaz. And when the time comes, when someone gets an opportunity, they’ll be able to take that.”Rocchiccioli has not yet made his international debut, but he took 38 wickets in nine matches of the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield and was the best spinner of the season. Across the last four Shield seasons, he has been the highest wicket-taking spinner with 83 wickets, 56 of which have come on the bouncy WACA pitch.Cooper Connolly and Todd Murphy in conversation•Tanuj/UPCAOn the flat pitch in Lucknow in the first unofficial Test of the tour, Rocchiccioli took three wickets in the only innings while Murphy went wicketless from 35 frugal overs.Rocchiccioli also performed brilliantly in this year’s County season while playing for Warwickshire. He took 16 wickets across seven innings in four matches, including two five-wicket hauls. On the other hand, Murphy, playing for Gloucestershire, took only 11 wickets across six innings in four matches at a costly average of 56.27, without a five-wicket haul. But Murphy took a lot of positives from the four-game stint.”It was a really good opportunity for me to play four games in the UK with a Kookaburra ball,” Murphy said. “There were a lot of runs scored there as well. I think it was a lot of the same stuff, just continuing to learn and being open to learning against different players in different conditions. There’s some really good takeaways from there and I realised the importance of being super consistent as an offspinner and challenging the batters for long periods of time.”Murphy has now completely recovered from a shoulder injury, which caused him frustration and affected his performance at times over the past two years. But he is not one to make excuses and is delighted with the opportunity to return to India to develop his bowling further.Corey Rocchiccioli is one of the Australian spinners who might have leapfrogged Todd Murphy•Tanuj/UPCA”The pitch in the first match was very different from the last tour,” Murphy said. “Instead of spinning, it was more of a flat pitch. This too is a kind of challenge, how do we bowl on flat wickets? The whole purpose of the trip is to come over here and try to keep adapting to these conditions.”So it was another challenge to try and adapt to a flatter wicket, find ways to put the batters under pressure and that’s just bouncing in an out of different plans and working with the captain. Sometimes the best way to do that is just shut the scoreboard down and get a different shot out of the batter.”Following the second unofficial Test, Murphy will return for the start of a new Shield season with Victoria. Ambitions of reclaiming his place as Australia’s first-choice understudy behind Lyon will fade behind his aim to help Victoria claim a Shield title that has narrowly eluded them over the past three seasons.”I think when you start a new Shield season, the first hope is to try and push as hard as you can to try and win the Shield,” Murphy said. “My role amongst the Victorian team is just to try and contribute to win. So that’s sort of what I’m looking to do. We’ve got a really good group of fast bowlers at Victoria, so I will try and play my role in and around that. Hopefully, I will be able to put up some good performance personally to keep myself going. But yeah, just try and play the best team role I can and I know performances will come from that.”

Manchester United’s squad at present is full of top-level talent in numerous areas of the pitch, but Ruben Amorim has so far struggled to make use of the players at his disposal.

The hierarchy have constantly splashed the cash in recent years, with over £200m being spent on new attacking talents during the recent summer transfer window.

The likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha all made the move to Old Trafford, but they have only posted a total of eight Premier League goals combined in 2025/26.

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system has seen Mbeumo operate in a somewhat unnatural central attacking midfield role, no doubt taking away his best asset – cutting inside off the right-hand side – away from him.

As a result, one player has indirectly suffered this campaign, with the manager recently coming under fire for his lack of faith shown in the player over recent months.

The latest on Kobbie Mainoo’s Man Utd future

Just a couple of years ago, Kobbie Mainoo was a key member of the United first-team squad, with the midfielder often starting at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s side.

He emerged out of the club’s academy setup, often popping up with key moments, as seen by his incredible achievements during the 2023/24 campaign.

The 20-year-old scored a late winner in the clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst also netting in the FA Cup final against Manchester City – resulting in a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

However, his career has taken a nosedive over the last 12 months, with Amorim evidently not seeing the academy graduate as part of his long-term plans at Old Trafford.

Mainoo has featured in nine league matches to date, none of which have come from a starting role, leading to one journalist questioning the manager over the midfielder after yesterday’s draw.

The 40-year-old simply laughed when asked about bringing the youngster on to try and win the game at the Theatre of Dreams, which sums up the faith he currently has in him at present.

However, an escape route could well be on the cards for Mainoo ahead of the January transfer window, with Napoli constantly tracking the Englishman over a potential transfer.

The Man Utd player that Amorim is misusing in 2025/26

The reluctance to utilise Mainoo in 2025/26 is just one of Amorim’s biggest failures to date, with the youngster massively deserving the chance to thrive under his guidance.

However, his recent spell on the substitutes bench highlights the lack of faith shown in him by the manager, with a solution desperately needed in the coming months.

The same could also be said about numerous other players, as seen by the struggles endured within the final third of the pitch over the last couple of matches in the Premier League.

Mbeumo has now failed to find the back of the net in each of his last three outings, but the forward is set to go to AFCON throughout January, which could leave a huge hole in the Red Devils’ attack.

His month-long spell away from Manchester could open up the door for Bruno Fernandes to once again feature in the number ten position – a role that is no doubt his best.

The Portuguese international operated in an attacking midfield role during 2024/25, resulting in the 31-year-old registering 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions.

However, the £200m spending spree in attacking areas has resulted in the United captain dropping into a deep-lying number eight position, which has taken away his creative nature in recent months.

He still currently has a total of five assists in his 14 appearances this campaign, but there’s little denying he’s endured a drop-off from his form last season.

Bruno, who’s been dubbed United’s “best player post Fergie” by writer Kaustubh Pandey, has now had to contribute more defensively, as seen by his increased tally of tackles won per 90 compared to last season.

However, whilst he’s still managed to play a part in winning the ball back for his side, it’s come with an adverse effect – subsequently resulting in a lack of creativity in attacking areas.

He’s only scored twice in the Premier League to date, one of which was a penalty, highlighting his lack of impact in terms of goal contributions in 2025/26.

Bruno Fernandes – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	14
Goals scored	2
Pass accuracy	83%
Shots on target	0.7
Chances created	1.8
Tackles won	1.8
Duels won	4.6
Interceptions made	0.6
Stats via FotMob

It’s clear to everyone but Amorim that the Portuguese star is better in an attacking role, which means one of the £200m additions may need to be sacrificed.

Such a move could open up a free role at the heart of the Red Devils side, which could allow Mainoo to have the run of games he needs to save his United career

However, if Amorim is unable to make such changes in the near future, it could result in the 40-year-old losing his job at Old Trafford in the near future – with such a decision an easy one for him to make.

Fewer touches than Lammens & 100% duels lost: Man Utd flop must be dropped

Ruben Amorim has multiple changes to make after his side’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

By
Ethan Lamb

7 days ago

The Apertura 2025 final features the two teams that set the pace all season. Toluca topped the table with 37 points and rolled past FC Juárez and Monterrey, while Tigres finished just behind them on 36 before ousting Xolos and Cruz Azul. Now, Antonio Mohamed’s Diablos chase a bicampeonato and a 12th star, as Guido Pizarro’s Tigres look to claim their ninth league title.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What’s at stake?

  The first leg will be played Thursday at Estadio Universitario, the always-demanding home of Tigres. The return match follows Sunday at Estadio Nemesio Diez – one of Liga MX’s most intimidating venues and a true “Infierno” where Antonio Mohamed’s Toluca has been nearly untouchable. Both sides will face hostile conditions, but the title may ultimately hinge on who handles the heat in Toluca.

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  History on the line

  A Toluca championship would secure the club’s 12th league crown, pulling the Red Devils level with Chivas as the second-most decorated team in Liga MX history. Tigres, meanwhile, are pushing for a ninth title – a milestone that would move them past Cruz Azul and further cement their status as a modern powerhouse.

  Two contenders with heavyweight ambitions now stand one series away from Apertura 2025 glory.

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  Key to Success

  Tigres – Key to Success
  Guido Pizarro’s side must contain Toluca’s attacking firepower and prove why they finished the Apertura 2025 as the league’s best defense, allowing only 16 goals. However, their road form remains a concern: they lost 3-0 to in the first leg of the quarterfinals and drew 1-1 at Cruz Azul in the semifinal opener. Tigres must be a significantly better visiting team if they want to lift the trophy on Sunday at Toluca’s fortress.

  Toluca – Key to Success
  Toluca enter the final as slight favorites. They have been the most consistent and well-balanced team in Liga MX throughout 2025. Their only major concern is the possible absence of their best player, Alexis Vega, who has yet to recover from an injury that has sidelined him for the entire Liguilla. His absence would be a significant blow, but Antonio Mohamed has managed the playoffs impressively without him. Even so, Vega’s potential return – whether in the first leg or the decisive match – could tilt the balance in Toluca’s favor.

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  Players to Watch

  Player to Watch: Juan Brunetta
  The Argentine playmaker has been one of Tigres’ most decisive threats this postseason, scoring three goals – including two in the dramatic 5-0 comeback against Xolos and another in the clinching win over Cruz Azul. Alongside Ángel Correa, Brunetta is a true difference-maker capable of tilting the final on his own.

  Player to Watch: Paulinho
  The Portuguese striker captured his third straight Liga MX Golden Boot and has added two more goals in the playoffs. Toluca will lean heavily on his finishing in the final, as Paulinho’s form could be the factor that determines whether the Diablos claim another league title.

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